So this past weekend, I had the opportunity to go to a Christopher West seminar with the campus Newman Center here at UE on Pope Jean-Paul II's Theology of the Body.
Theology of the Body is really hard to put into simple terms because it encompases so many different Christian teachings and tries to further explain and, in a sense, re-evaluatem them. The theology is mostly focused on explaining "how the Christian sexual ethic corresponds perfectly with our deepest yearnings of our hearts for love and union." (Christopher West, http://www.christopherwest.com/). The theory really attempts to reverse the negative connotations that our modern Western world has about sex.
Anyway, the talk was really very interesting and it helped me learn a lot more about my religion. However, there are still some things that I don't totally agree with, and there are, of course, many things about the whole theology that I don't understand. The theology is just so vast, that it's nearly impossible to fully comprehend it--just like with any theology, really. I mean, Christopher West has been studying the Theology of the Body for 15 years, and he's still finding things that he never understood before!
Really, the biggest issue I had with the whole theology was the deal about contraception. I'm not saying that someone should take contraceptions lightly or anything like that, but there are people out there who might medically need to be on contraceptives. If a person has thin blood, for example, but heavy periods, would you really want them passing out all the time due to blood loss? Wouldn't the Pill be an acceptable answer? And if a family really cannot financially, emotionally, etc support a child, wouldn't the Pill be an okay answer instead of the woman having to take their temperature everyday and check their fluids everyday so that they know which week to avoid having sex? How acurate is that going to be? Honestly, I'm all for people having kids, I just think that the world would be better off if the kids came into famillies that could support them, instead of having over-run orphanages and children suffering from the foster care system, which really isn't all that great of a system.
Anyway, if you want to find out more about the Theology of the Body, which I suggest you do because it's worth taking a look at, even if there are some thigns you don't agree with, then Google it, or head to Christopher West's homepage: http://www.christopherwest.com/ or http://www.theologyofthebody.net/.
So, I thought I should give people an idea of what a Sunday generally looks like for me.
First, I sleep until around 10 if I'm going to mass on campus. If I'm going to church over at the Christian Family Church or at St. Ben's, then I have to get up earlier (8 for CFC and 9 for St. Ben's).
If I'm not going to CFC, then I get brunch over at Dunnigan Dining at about 11:00. When I go to mass here, I usually sing or participate in the greeting of partitioners. For that, I need to be at Neu Chapel at about 12:15. Mass starts at 1:00, and is usually done at around 2:00. Then, I head back to my room and clean and study, because generally this hasn't gotten done yet.
So, there you have it. A typical Sunday. Saturdays are even more uneventful.
Yesterday my mom and I moved my sister in to Brentano,which is the female residence hall on campus. I was so excited to be back on campus that I was practically shaking when we checked her in!
Today, we moved me in to my room. It's a little bit empty since Soo isn't here yet (and neither is a fridge or microwave, since we forgot the microwave back in the garage), but everything I brought is now put away. Right now I'm the most organized I'll be all semester! I'm not sure if I like having the movable furniture yet. My desk surface is wider and it does have more drawers, however, it doesn't have as many shelves, so there's not enough space for all of text books and notebooks and the books I brought from home to read. Plus, there's not as much storage [or room (never thought I'd say that!)] as when we had the built in stuff.
Thw bathrooms are nice, though. There's only two toilet stalls, but I don't mind the renovated showers! Especially since there is no longer that disgusting tub....and shower curtains. Having all new stuff is certainly a plus.
Anyway, I'm really glad to be back at UE. It's like being home again!
Well, for me anyway, summer's almost over: I start classes in one day short of a month (I move back to campus in three weeks), and I move to Kentucky in less than a week (yikes!). My last summer in Boulder has just flown by all too quickly.
So lately I have been struggling with my religious path (liberal Catholicism). I guess you could say that I havent felt the same religious "high" that I had while at UE. Maybe it's the fact that the church I used to go to has undergone many changes since the Paulist Fathers left, or mybe it's because I didn't have a regular group to attend any more, or maybe I just no longer fit in as well, the same way I don't quite fit in to Boulder any longer. Who really knows? No matter the reasons why, I'm struggling a bit with my faith.
I guess one analogy that could work to describe my situation in a completely unsatisfactory manner, is riding a bike up a rather rocky hill. Only it's a hill that you can't see the top of and therefore you feel as though you're getting nowhere.
This very bad analogy came to me while I was walking the half-hour hill from my dog-sitting job back home this morning. Along this uphill walk of mine, I pass by a Methodist church along Gillaspe. Along with various signs advertising a Korean service (in Korean, of course), was the English sign with a little saying on it:
I almost cried! Of course, it didn't exactly help my mind from trying to battle out the struggle, but it did help me to take a step back and stop worrying about it so much. It also made me think of a tandem bicycle, which I have to give msot of the credit to Father Kevin for that one!
So I guess I'm going to try and let loose a little more and trust that I'll end up where I'm supposed to be. (And boy do I sound like a Boulderite).
So when I went to Japan about a year ago, I picked up some juzu beads at one of the temples I visited. I've worn them ever since, and now that the elastic is kind of going, I thought I would look up more specifics for possibly making a set of my own. So, I did a little bit of research.
The first thing I found out is that the version I have is actually fairly small. A basic strand has 108 beads, while mine has 31 (27 small beads in a light green color, 2 small clear beads, 1 large bead with a buddha image inside, and 1 bead on top). The beads are supposed to represent the number of worldly desires that must be subdued, and usually they're used to count prayers.
Most of the other facts I found out are a little hard for me to explain, but a Google search should be sufficient. (Wiki doesn't comeup with anything of any use).
Well, this morning on my facebook I had an invite to add an application for my "real" zodiac sign. After I entered the usual birthdate, palce, and time (December 14; Westlake Village, CA; 2:00 PM), my "real" sign turned out to Ophiuchus, or the Serpent-Bearer. So, that naturally got me intrigued, and I ended up looking up this mysterious 13th sign. Anyway, here's some of the stuff I found out.
First, the websites I looked at:
http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/your-astronomical-sign.html
http://www.lunarplanner.com/siderealastrology.html
http://skepdic.com/astrolgy.html
http://www.love-astrology.com/13th-sign-of-the-zodiac/ophiuchus-13th-sign/
http://www.hipforums.com/newforums/showthread.php?t=183231
http://home.ptd.net/~myth1313/grimzodiac.html
Anyway, the first thing I found out is that the whole thing is actually pretty controversial in the world of astrology.
You see, the whole got started because astronomers determined that there are actually thirteen ecliptic constellations (constellations that the sun passes through). These are: Aqaurius, Capricornus, Sagittarius, Ophiuchus, Scorpius, Libra, Virgo, Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus, Aries, Pisces. One reason why I can see the whole thing being controversial is because if you look at a chart of the ecliptic constellations (http://www.geocities.com/astrologystations/images/eqmapwhite.gif) you can see that Ophiuchus actually "overlaps" the boundaries of Sagitarius and Scorpius. This completely disrupts the even boundaries for the zodiac signs, as well. If you were to include Ophiuchus in the zodiac, Scoprio would only last about nine days. It also makes it extremely hard to determine other aspects of the sign, like its element, planet association, birthstone, and characteristics.
Some astrologers have been able to come up with specific chracters of the sign:
interpreter of dreams, vivid premonitions; attracts good luck and fruitful blessings; serpent holder, lofty ideals; a seeker of peace and harmony; doctor of medicine or science, natural-pathic; adds, increases, joins, or gathers together; poetical, inventive nature, expanding qualities; seeks higher education and wisdom;overseer, supervisor of work; fame - either grand, or completely misunderstood; longevity, aspirations of healing the ills of man; architect, builder, reaches for the stars, figuratively and literally; tax assessor, or levys taxes; astrological talents, intuitive; large family indicated, but apt to be separated from them when young; the number twelve holds great significance; foresight and good fortune to benefit from hard times; has secret enemies in family or close associations; many jealous of this subject; notable father, apple of father's eye when young; high position in life expected [depending on aspects] highest fame and legend comes after death; feelings of granular, wise, genius mentality; likes to wear clothing of vibrant colors, and plaids in particular; receives the favor of those in authority (http://www.hipforums.com/newforums/showthread.php?t=183231)
Many people are envious of this subject as he progresses well throughout life. A seeker of wisdom and knowledge. Many people are jealous of this person. Tends to go for the more flamboyant in dress sense, favouring bright colours. Authority looks upon him well. Would make a great architect or builder. Number 12 is this persons lucky number. This person will have a big family but leave home at an early age. (http://www.love-astrology.com/13th-sign-of-the-zodiac/ophiuchus-13th-sign/)
But honestly, I think it's almost a little bit riddiculus for the sign to have a completely separate set of attributes from the two signs it overlaps. To me, it makes much more sense that the sign would share characteristics with Scorpio and Sagittarius. Of course, most people are going to want to have their "own" attributes and not just a conglomeration of Ophiuchus' next-door neighbors.
Personally, I much more agree witht he author of: http://home.ptd.net/~myth1313/grimzodiac.html. "Ophichus (or Serpentarus)- the Serpent Holder or Serpent Wrestler (November 30-December 17) the "thirteenth" Zodiac Sign- Not too many people who are aware that there is a 13th symbol in the Zodiac that for the most part has been overlooked. There are many reasons for this, but it would be novel in size trying to explain everything. For the most part, Ophiuchus has been left out because of our modern calendar (12 months, 12 signs). Supposedly Ophichus (known as Asclepius) was the Son of Apollo and a mortal woman. He was given the power by the goddess Athena to resurrect the dead including the more famous Orion, the hunter. He was killed by a bolt of lightning from Zeus who had been requested to do so by Hades. As Asclepius was resurrecting, Hades was worried that the Underworld was not getting as many dead as he should be. He was turned into a constellation to appease Apollo. Not much is known about Ophichus as a Zodiac, except that those who were born under him share the attributes of both Scorpio and Sagittarius, the Element is spirit, or Akasha. The Birthstone is Unknown. His symbol was also the Caduceus."
In any case, I think the whole idea is pretty neat, as I've always felt that I'm more of a mix between Sagitarius and Scorpio; however, I doubt that the 13th sign will ever make its way into our "accepted" image of astrology, as 12 is a much nicer number, plus people tend to be set in their ways (especially when the ways have existed for over 2200 years).
This whole thing actually reminds me a lot of the "13th" sign of the Chinese zodiac.
Anyway, if anyone is interested in the subject, feel free to check out the links I've posted and add your comments. I would love to hear your opinions!
So I admit it. I'm jealous. But, hey, I'm human, right?
I'm jealous that my high school orchestra is in Europe. And I'm not. My class was supposed to go to Spain and Portugal, but no, the stupid guys from Al Quaida had to go and blow stuff up! So, instead, I didn't get to go to Spain and Portugal. And they get to go to Vienna. Of course, the ones who are going will probably end up travelling to Europe again, or maybe they've already been there several times.
I guess the only satisfaction I can get out of this is that when I'm in Europe, I'm be in England for an entire semester and then in France for another semester. Plus, I won't have to take my instrument. More souveniers for me! Also, I'll be making new friends. They're stuck with each other!
It still doesn't make my jealousy disappear, though.
It seems like my life is filled with goodbyes. Maybe they aren't always emminent, but they're always there.
Today, I said goodbye to six more Japanese students. Tuesday, I say goodbye to the rest of the guys from last summer, and later this summer I say goodbye to all of my friends here in Colorado.
But, you know, goodbyes aren't really all that bad. I mean, sometimes it's good to say goodbye to people, especially if said person(s) aren't good for you. And when you say goodbye, a whole new world opens up. It's with saying goodbye that one can change. How boring would it be if you never broadened your horizons through the process of saying goodbye?
I have to tell you, I'm glad I said goodbye to Boulder last year when I decided to go out-of-state for college! If I hadn't, I wouldn't have become the person I became.
Same goes for saying a temporary goodbye to America last summer, too. That trip to Japan pushed my boundaries in a lot of ways, and I'm sure glad it did!
So, here's to goodbyes! May they always reside in this world! (Just maybe they can lighten their approach a bit).
It's already been a full week of summer and right now it feels as though it's just inching along, but I know that soon enough those long, lazy summer days will go by all too fast. In fact, I've already lined up several projects for myself:
- Find a job.
- Learn to drive. That's right, I still don't have my license and I'm 19.
- Start re-doing my soc book. What's a soc book? The long name is sociology book and it's a big project we had to do for Billington's sociology class my senior year. Basically, he gave a long list of questions that we had to create pages for. We also had to have our friends create pages about us. The reason why I want to re-do it is because my pages look like crap, especially when you compare them to the artistic talent of Beau's page.......
- Begin a scrapbook for my JEP experiences. It'd be great to have all of these memories compiled into one book. However thick it is!
- Learn to sew. I know how to sew the basics, but I'd really like to learn how to sew more complicated things, like a dress, or skirt, or bunny hat!
So as you can see, I'm going to keep myself busy this summer! Not to mention the fact that I have to help pack up everything and I want to take a dance class at the rec center......
It's amazing how tired one can be after sitting in a car for two days. Even when you're not the one doing the driving.
Needless to say, that's what my past two days were. Sitting in my Dad's dog-hair-filled jeep packed full of boxes and bags of my stuff from school as we drove across Kansas. Not exactly my idea of fun. Especially since I only had one CD with me, so I had to listen to my Dad's music most of the way. That and my Maroon 5 CD. I like the band, but hearing the songs over and over and over again gets a little annoying. I think I have some of the lyrics memorized. And never realized how many sexual references are stated rather blatantly in their songs.
Anyway, driving across Kansas is taxing.
Since I am in the midst of packing to head home for the summer, I've been thinking about (or, rather, frustrated with) boxes. For instance, what's the point in a box that can only hold about one normal-sixed book? And why does nothing ever seem to be able to fill up the box perfectly? It would be so much easier to pack things if boxes were able to hold everything just so. Personally, I'd much prefer a Mary Poppins carpet bag to a box.
Another funny thing about boxes: in a way, they represent life. Just think about it! We pack much of our material objects away in boxes that I'm sure everyone thinks of as associated with their life in some way or another. And all that food in the grocery store first came out of a box.
It's kind of sad seeing so many filled boxes lining the hallway as everyone prepares to go home. It means that some of the girls and guys I've gotten to know over the past year I may not see again for a very long time. Some I may never see again. And otehrs I'll see at the end of the summer. Still, the boxes look a bit forlorn in their shades of brown lined up in waiting to be carried out to a car or to sit across the way in Schroeder's storage.
I personally hope to not have nearly as many boxes this coming fall.
So...Sunset Concert.
Every spring, UE puts on a free concert for its students and brings in some fairly large bands. This year we had Hellogoodbye! Needless to say it was a pretty awesome concert, even though the singer was most definately drunk. Point and case: he licked a girl on the forehead. Maybe he was high, too. Oh, well. Nothing bad happened, and it made for an entertaining performance.
After the show, my friend Jenn and I ran around to the back of the "concert hall," a.k.a the large gym in Carson Center and got a photo with the guitarist.
All in all, it was a pretty good night, especially since I went with a bunch of friends to a Japanese restaurant for dinner before hand. (The meal cost me $23, but it was worth it).
On the bus.
Today, at the most un-Godly hour of the morning (7:30), I loaded my violin and duffle bag onto a tour bus for UESO (UE Symphony Orchestra). At 1:00 Eastern Time we played for a high school in New Albany, IN and then we were back on the road and heading for Indianapolis. We got to our hotel in Indi at 5:00 and were left on our own to get dinner.
Tomorrow we have to get up at 5:30 so we can load the bus at 6:30 and go to our concert location here in Indi. Then, we head for Nashville.
So far, not having classes hasn't been all that bad, but at the same time, most of us are a bit stressed since it's so close to the end of the semester and we have papers, etc, due when we get back.